Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/120

Rh And whereas by auncient custome the Maior, Sheriffs, Alder and Sheriffs, [and] Peers, have upon Sundaies & hollidaies imediately after dinner mett att a place (called the Pentice), and thence gone to a sermon preached by some of the citty preachers, whither the greatest part alsoe of the citty came, and, after the sermon ended, went to their sev'all churches to evening prayers, the Bishop's Chancellor hath given late direcc'ons & command that the said aftemoone sermon shall not bee till after evening prayer.

The Maior, by the advice of the Alder, his bretheren (for that these alterac'ons are in breach of auncient customes, & entrench upon the rights of the citty, & of his place, & introduce many inconveniences), did not nor doth goe to the minster, nor to the said great Ile to sermons. 1. Soe that upon these innovac'ons, the Maior & his brethren have no certaine place to meet & come to forenoone sermons as accustomed.

2. By reason that sermons in other churches are to end before the sermon in the new pulpit beginne, service is so tymely ended that many countrey people come not there. 3. Dureing the sermon in the new pulpitt, many (for want of convenient roome to sitt or heare in) doe walke in the church, some keepe at home, & others (wch is most of all) goe to the Alehouse at sermon tyme. 4. And the restraint & alterac'on of the tyme of the afternoone sermons doth likewise bring many inconveniences.

QUESTIONS. 1. Whether (as this case is) the Bishop & Deane & Chapter, or ether of them, have power to change the place of the sermon from the said church of A. where itt hath usually bene and alter the same as aforesaid. 2. Whether the Bishop hath power to alter the accustomed hour and tyme of preachinge, & make restraint thereof in other churches as aforesaid. 3. Whether the Bishop or his Chancellor may restraine the afternoone sermons till evening praier, contrary to custome in that behalfe.

4. Admitting the place of the sermon may be altered, whether the Maior & citizens may not att their owne charge maintaine a conformable